A tyre company boss has made his first appearance in court accused of health and safety failures relating to the death of a 21-year-old fitter nine years ago.

Watling Tyres director Andrew Wright, 57, is charged with two counts of breaching his general duty to Matthew Hoare, who was killed in 2006 when a tyre he was repairing in Sandwich exploded.

The Health and Safety Executive, which is prosecuting the case, alleges that Mr Hoare had not been properly trained for the work he was doing and had inadequate equipment.

Last year, an inquest ruled that Mr Hoare, from Shalmsford Street, had been working at the depot in Sturry Road for six months when he was sent to the Hammill Brickworks to fix a tractor-type tyre on a loader vehicle.

He was inflating a 5ft loader tyre when it exploded, throwing him 15ft and killing him instantly.

Wright, who lives in Quaker Close, Sevenoaks, was charged as the director with responsibility for health and safety at Watling Tyres.

He appeared before Canterbury magistrates on Tuesday and denied two counts of employer breach.

Watling Tyres, which is based in Green Road, Dartford, is charged with the same offences as a company. It did not enter pleas.

Magistrates adjourned the case to Canterbury Crown Court on October 5.

Wright was granted unconditional bail.